They shed hollow tears

They shed hollow tears

Wailing at the gate

Those who would be mourners

Emoting with devotion

Attached to their devices

Recording the scene

From the safety of a barrier,

Baying for retribution.

From somewhere

There is screaming

The truly grieving,

The broken bodies

Below the crush.

The building was a home

For the living

The plane

Was for transportation.

Too many watch dispassionately

Secretly pleased

They were untouched.

Blessed are they

Who walk on by.

Lay the blame

On someone else’s shoulders

We are all responsible

For ourselves.

Even before the dust settles

The knives are out

Scapegoats are tied

To the mast.

In a storm,

Sacrifices must be made

By somebody,

Anybody.

The last guy I saw

The first through the door

The one who ruled before.

The soldier

The sailor

The candlestick maker.

Point your finger

Scrape it in the dirt

Place a body on the altar

Daub your skin in blood.

Praise be to the lord

Thy will be done

Too easily said

By the self-righteous.

When the bodies fall

They do not discriminate

When it is your turn

You will not remember

You will not see it

Hear it

Or count its cost

You will be gone.